# Flambeau — The Innocence of Father Brown character guide > Flambeau in The Innocence of Father Brown by G. K. Chesterton. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Flambeau, M. Hercule Flambeau, the tall Flambeau, the unofficial Flambeau, Monsieur Flambeau **First appearance:** 0002-the-blue-cross ## Snapshot A towering, theatrical Frenchman once famed as a master thief, now the unofficial detective whose friendship with Father Brown opens doors and spreads the little priest's legend. ## Who they are Flambeau moves between two worlds: the cosmopolitan criminal underground he once ruled and the respectable investigations he now serves, his reputation so magnetic that official detectives count it a privilege to know him. His loyalty to Father Brown is the engine of the stories, carrying the priest into locked conservatories, country houses, and Reed House itself. Where Brown supplies moral insight, Flambeau supplies access, muscle, and a convert's zeal, and his presence guarantees that the quiet priest's methods will be tested against the most ingenious crimes. ## Relationships ### [Father Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_innocence_of_father_brown_se/characters/father_brown) _friendship_ Father Brown repeatedly reforms and befriends the master criminal Flambeau, guiding him toward redemption. ### [Mr. Paul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_innocence_of_father_brown_se/characters/mr_paul) _friendship_ Flambeau and Mr. Paul share a bond as former criminals or associates in the underworld. ### [Kalon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_innocence_of_father_brown_se/characters/kalon) _rivalry_ Flambeau opposes the manipulative cult leader Kalon, seeing through his deception. ### [Prince Saradine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_innocence_of_father_brown_se/characters/prince_saradine) _psychological_ Flambeau is drawn into the dark web of Prince Saradine's schemes and secrets. ### [Father Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_innocence_of_father_brown_se/characters/father_brown) _friendship_ Father Brown repeatedly reforms and befriends the master criminal Flambeau, guiding him toward redemption. ### [Father Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_innocence_of_father_brown_se/characters/father_brown) _friendship_ Father Brown repeatedly reforms and befriends the master criminal Flambeau, guiding him toward redemption. ### [Mr. Paul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_innocence_of_father_brown_se/characters/mr_paul) _friendship_ Flambeau and Mr. Paul share a bond as former criminals or associates in the underworld. ### [Prince Saradine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_innocence_of_father_brown_se/characters/prince_saradine) _psychological_ Flambeau is drawn into the dark web of Prince Saradine's schemes and secrets. ### [Kalon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_innocence_of_father_brown_se/characters/kalon) _rivalry_ Flambeau opposes the manipulative cult leader Kalon, seeing through his deception. ### [Prince Saradine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_innocence_of_father_brown_se/characters/prince_saradine) _psychological_ Flambeau is drawn into the dark web of Prince Saradine's schemes and secrets. ### [Mr. Paul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_innocence_of_father_brown_se/characters/mr_paul) _friendship_ Flambeau and Mr. Paul share a bond as former criminals or associates in the underworld. ## In the story ### [The Innocence of Father Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_innocence_of_father_brown_se/chapters/the-innocence-of-father-brown) The notorious criminal whose encounters with Father Brown reveal the priest's unexpected depth and moral authority. ### [The Blue Cross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_innocence_of_father_brown_se/chapters/the-blue-cross) The master criminal disguised as a priest, attempting to steal the silver cross. ### [The Queer Feet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_innocence_of_father_brown_se/chapters/the-queer-feet) The thief who impersonates a waiter and a gentleman to steal the silver fish knives and forks; he repents after being caught by Father Brown. ### [The Flying Stars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_innocence_of_father_brown_se/chapters/the-flying-stars) The master thief who commits his last crime, stealing the Flying Stars diamonds while disguised as a harlequin in a Christmas pantomime. ### [The Invisible Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_innocence_of_father_brown_se/chapters/the-invisible-man) Flambeau, the reformed thief, is consulted by Angus and investigates Smythe's disappearance. ### [The Honour of Israel Gow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_innocence_of_father_brown_se/chapters/the-honour-of-israel-gow) Amateur detective investigating the life and death of Lord Glengyle; presents the inventory of odd items found in the castle. ### [The Wrong Shape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_innocence_of_father_brown_se/chapters/the-wrong-shape) Accompanies Father Brown and Dr. Harris, observes the Hindu man, and later discusses the case with Father Brown. ### [The Sins of Prince Saradine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_innocence_of_father_brown_se/chapters/the-sins-of-prince-saradine) Takes a month's holiday on a small sailing-boat with Father Brown, intending to visit Prince Saradine. ### [The Eye of Apollo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_innocence_of_father_brown_se/chapters/the-eye-of-apollo) Now a private detective with an office in a modern tower; introduces Father Brown to the new religion of Apollo and the Stacey sisters. ### [The Sign of the Broken Sword](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_innocence_of_father_brown_se/chapters/the-sign-of-the-broken-sword) Accompanies Father Brown and reacts with horror to the revelations. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_innocence_of_father_brown_se/characters/flambeau - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_innocence_of_father_brown_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_innocence_of_father_brown_se/characters